Combination vhf antenna mounting clip and signal transfer



May 12, 1970 D. J. suzsoua ETAL 3,512,162

COMBINATION VHF ANTENNA MOUNTING CLIP AND SIGNAL TRANSFER Filed Oct. 2. 1967 as 91 e9 INVE'NTORSZ r3 DONALD 'J. SIEBOLD, CHARLES W. CHARLES,

T ENCE P. CIiOU,

THEIR ATTORNEYZ/L United States Patent US. Cl. 343-702 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An antenna assembly is provided for a television receiver including a mounting arrangement for supporting the antenna on the receiver cabinet. The mounting arrangement includes a mounting clip supported within the cabinet for forming a ball and socket joint with the antenna for allowing swivelled movement thereof. An electrical connection arrangement directly electrically connects the antenna to suitable circuitry within the set and includes a snap-in antenna connector positioned in an aperture in the cabinet wall and including a tab portion for reception of a suitable terminal lead. A removable connecting link is positioned outside the receiver cabinet to span the space between a portion of the snap-in antenna connector and a screw fastener, extending into the cabinet and partially supporting the mounting clip, to complete the circuit. Removal of the link connector allows an outside antenna to be connected directly to the snapin antenna connector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to antenna assemblies for electronic equipment and, more particularly, to means for mounting an antenna assembly in electronic equipment and for directly electrically connecting the antenna to electronic circuitry therein.

In certain types of electronic equipment, such as television receivers, for example, it is desirable to include an integral antenna. A conventional antenna usually comprises an extensible member consisting of a series of telescoping tubular elements which normally may be stored inside the receiver cabinet when not in use. In some situations, it is customary to include an antenna member or a pair of such antenna members, or rabbit ears, as they have become popularly known, which may swivel about a support point in order to best orient the antenna. In order to provide for complete swivelled movement of the extended antenna members, a ball and socket joint is normally provided wherein a spherical ball portion carried by a lower end of the antenna member is received in a socket of a mounting clip which also serves to support the antenna.

Means must also be provided to connect the antenna to suitable electronic circuitry within the receiver cabinet. However, although such antenna means are normally provided in almost all commercial television receivers, it is many times desirable to substitute another antenna in place of the integral antenna for better reception. In normal domestic situations, this other antenna takes the form of the well-known outdoor antenna usually mounted atop the roof of a building. Since a television manufacturer is generally unaware as to which type of antenna a particular operator is going to utilize, provisions for both types of hook-ups must normally be provided. Such an arrangement usually takes the form of separate terminal leads for the integral antenna which must be connected to a structure outside the receiver cabinet for electrical connection with the interior circuitry. When an operator desires to substitute an outdoor an- Patented May 12, 1970 tenna, the leads from the integral antenna are removed and leads from the outdoor antenna are substituted therefor. Furthermore, in known arrangements which use a mounting clip arrangement to support the swivelled antenna, connecting means from circuitry within the receiver cabinet are directly connected with supporting means in contact with the antenna for effecting the necessary electrical connection. However, in such arrangements it is not possible to readily disconnect the electrical connection means from the integral antenna to substitute another antenna therefor. Such an arrangement necessarily requires separate electrical connection means for the integral antenna and the outdoor antenna to the electronic circuitry within the cabinet.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an antenna assembly for electronic equipment which includes a mounting clip for supporting the antenna for controlled telescopic and swivelled movements.

It is another object of this invention to provide an antenna assembly wherein the mounting clip forms part of a novel arrangement for directly electrically connecting the antenna to suitable circuitry within a casing housing the electronic equipment.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an antenna assembly including an electrical connection arrangement which is readily adaptable for change-over, that is, for connecting electrically a substitute antenna to the electronic circuitry within the casing.

In accordance with the invention in one form thereof, there is provided an antenna assembly for a television receiver including a mounting clip for forming a ball and socket joint with the antenna to allow swivelled movement thereof. The mounting clip forms part of an electrical connection arrangement for directly connecting the antenna to suitable circuitry within the set. Included in the electrical connection arrangement is a connecting link positioned on the outside of the receiver cabinet contacting an antenna connector engaging a terminal lead connected to suitable circuitry within the set. The connecting link may be removed so that the leads from an outside antenna may be directly engaged with the antenna connector if desired.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The invention may better be understood by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmented view of a portion of a television receiver cabinet including the antenna assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mounting clip which forms part of the antenna assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the snap-in antenna connector which forms part of the antenna assembly of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the connecting link utilized in the antenna assembly.

The antenna assembly of the present invention is utilized normally in portable electronic equipment, such as a portable television set. Such equipment usually utilizes an outer casing of generally rectangular configuration and including a generally planar top wall. The antenna is, normally, of a telescoping variety and retractable so that, when not in use, it may be stored conveniently within the outer casing. When in use, the antenna is extended to its full length without the outer casing and is desirably adapted for swivelled movement so that proper reception 3 may be effected. These factors are not critical, however, and it is understood that the present invention is not limited thereby.

Referring now to FIGS. 15, there is shown the antenna system 1 of the present invention. More particularly, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a fragmented section of an outer casing 3 of a portable television set, for example, including a rear wall 5, a sidewall 7 and a generally planar top wall 9. The antenna 11 for this arrangement is of conventional variety and includes a generally spherical base member 13 having a central bore therethrough and a collar portion 15 which surrounds the bore at its upper end. Extending upwardly from the collar member 15 are a plurality of extensible telescoped tubular member 17 coaxially aligned with each other. The tubular members 17 are capable of internesting inside one another. The outermost tube 19 includes a flange portion 21 at the lower end thereof and a similar flange portion 23 near the upper end thereof to limit axial movement thereof within and with respect to the ball. At the very upper end of the outer tube 19 there is preferably a second flange portion 25 which cooperates With the flanged portion 23 immediately therebelow to provide a portion of the outer tube 19 which may be grasped by an operator to extend the antenna 11 to its uppermost position beyond the outer casing 3. It is understood that the present invention is not limited to a single extended antenna but may include a pair of antenna members, or rabbit ears as they have become known, each independently supported on the casing.

The antenna 11 is supported on the outer casing 3 by means of a mounting clip 27, best seen in FIG. 3. The mounting clip 27 comprises a sheet metal L-shaped member having good resiliency and high strength characteristics and includes a generally long rectangular planar leg 29 and a relatively short planar leg 31. The longer leg 29 includes a tap portion 33 struck from near the end thereof and including an aperture 35 therein which is preferably formed with an impression to accept a tapping screw 65 for mounting purposes. The longer leg 29 also includes a large aperture 37 disposed centrally thereof. The aperture 37 is surrounded by a cup shaped downwardly and inwardly extending flange 39 of suflicient radius and configuration to provide a receptacle for the ball 13 of the antenna 11. The ball 13 and the flange or socket 39 of the mounting clip 27 serve to provide a ball and socket joint for supporting the antenna 11 for swivelled movement, as will be described. The shorter leg 31 of the mounting clip 27 includes a centrally disposed portion 41 and a pair of side portions 43 and 45 including rectangular flanges 47 and 49 extending from the ends thereof. The central portion 41 of the shorter leg 31 includes an aperture 51 therein preferably formed in a manner similar to aperture 35.

In order to effectively mount the antenna 11 for swivelled movement, it is necessary that there be suflicient bias against the ball and socket joint so that the tubular members 17 are maintained in the final desired position when moved thereto. To insure such bias, the mounting clip 27 is mounted within the casing 3 so that a substantial upward force or resilient pressure is directed against the ball 13 of the antenna 11 to insure that the ball 13 will remain in a desired position when the tubular members 17 of the antenna are moved. In order to mount the antenna for such movement in the casing, there are provided a large central aperture 53 in the top wall 9 of the casing 3 and a smaller aperture 55 adjacent thereto. The smaller aperture 55 is aligned with the aperture 35 in the tab portion 33 of the mounting clip 27. An aperture 57 is also provided in the rear wall of the casting for alignment with the aperture 51 of the shorter leg 31. Also, the cabinet casing includes a pair of flanged support members 59 and 61 molded on the inner surface of the rear wall 5. The mounting clip 27 is so positioned that the shorter leg 31 thereof is juxtaposed with the inner surface of the rear wall 5 of the casing. The flanged portions 47 and 49 of the outer segments of the shorter leg rest upon the flange supports 59 and 61 carried by the rear wall 5 of the casing. A ferrule 63 is positioned in the large aperture 53 in the top wall 9 of the casing urrounding the ball portion 13 of the antenna 11 to prevent upward movement of the ball 13 beyond the top wall and to provide resistance against the bias exerted on the ball 13 by the mounting clip 27. The bias exerted on the ball 13 is effected by means of a screw fastener 65 received in the small aperture 55 in the top wall 9 and in the tab portion 33 of the mounting clip 27. Tightening of the screw fastener 65 causes the free end of the longer leg 29 of the mounting clip to flex upwardly so that socket 39 exerts a resilient pressure to firmly engage the ball 13 of the antenna and bias it upwardly against the ferrule 63. A slight bend in leg 29 may be used on the opposite side of large aperture 53 from screw fastener 65 to assist in providing the resilient eflect and at the same time to permit proper alignment of the resulting antenna assembly. Thus, the antenna 11 is adequately supported on the casing for the desired swivelled movement.

Means are also provided for alfording a direct electrical connection from the antenna 11 to the electronic circuitry (not shown) within the casing 3. Because the integral antenna provided with such equipment is often unused in practice and is often replaced by an outdoor antenna, such attaching means includes a feature for readily disconnecting the integral antenna from the main electronic circuitry within the casing and for readily adapting the electronic equipment for use in conjunction with a substitute or an outdoor antenna. The electrical connecting arrangement includes the mounting clip 27, a conductive screw fastener 67, a removable conductive connecting link 69, to be described, positioned outside the cabinet on the rear wall 5, a conductive connector 71 supported on the rear wall of the casing and including means extending within the casing engaging a terminal lead 73 from the electronic circuitry therein, and a conductive screw fastener 75 for connecting the connecting link 69 with the conductor 71.

More particularly, the conductor 71 comprises a generally U-shaped member including a pair of plate-like leg portions 75 and 77 and a flat rectangular bight portion 79 including a central aperture 81 therein. The rear wall 5 of the casing includes a rectangular aperture for receiving the bight portion 79 of the connector 71. The bight portion 79 includes a pair of flanged segments 83 and 85 which engage the outer surface of the rear wall 5 to position the connector 71 thereon. The leg portions 75 and 77 of the connector include tab portions 87 and 89 struck therefrom and in engagement with the inner surface of the rear wall 5 of the casing to anchor the connector 71 with respect to the wall. The connector 71, through cooperation of the flanges 83 and 85 and the tab portions 87 and 89 may be snapped in to the aperture so that it is effectively supported by the wall 5. The lower leg portion 77 of the snap-in connector 71 includes a downwardly extending flange 91 which engages a terminal lead 73 from the electronic circuitry within the casing.

In order to directly electrically connect the snap-in connector 71 with the mounting clip 27 and, thus, with the antenna 11, there is provided a connecting link 69 comprising a generally flat plate member which spans the distance between the screw fastener 67 and the flat bight portion 79 of the snap-in connector 71. The connecting link 69' includes an elongated slot 93 for the reception of screw fastener 75 to firmly connect the connecting link 69 with the bight portion 79 of the snap-in connector 71. The other end of the connecting link includes an open-ended slot 95 in which the screw fastener 67 engaging the shorter leg 31 of the mounting clip 27 is received. With such a configuration, the connecting link 69 may be easily pivoted away from the screw fastener 67 by merely loosening the screw fastener 67 and the second screw fastener 75 and sliding the connecting link 69 down the slot 93. Thus, a direct electrical connection, which may be easily removed if necessary, is provided between the antenna 11 and the electronic circuity within the casing.

When the connecting link 69 has been removed from engagement with the screw fastener 67, the screw fastener 75 associated with the snap-in connector 71 may readily receive terminal leads (not shown) from a suitable substitute antenna. Since the snap-in connector 71 is in continuous electrical engagement with the electronic ciruitry within the set, it is seen that rather rapid change-over from the integral antenna to a substitute antenna, or vice versa, may be effected.

It is necessary that the mounting clip 27 and other connecting means in the electrical connecting arrangement be insulated from the casing 3 so as to prevent a short circuit or grounding of the antenna 11. It is, therefore, contemplated that the present antenna arrangement is, preferably, utilized with a casing fabricated of a dielectric or plastic material. In any event, the area immediately contacting the conducting members of the electrical connection arrangement should be adequately insulating.

We have thus described a novel antenna assembly wherein a ball and socket joint is provided for mounting an antenna including a plurality of tubular extensible 1 members. Additionally, we have provided a mounting clip which is simple in construction and yet provides a bias for the ball carried by the antenna so that the antenna maintains its position once it is swivelled to the desired receiving position. We have further described a novel electrical connection arrangement for directly electrically connecting the antenna to electronic circuitry within the casing. This electrical connecting arrangement includes the mounting clip, a snap-in connector connected to terminal leads from the circuitry, and a novel connecting link which effectively spans the snapin connector and the mounting clip. The connecting link is positioned on the outside of the casing and is of such structure and design that it may easily be disconnected from screw 67 for ready change-over between utilization of the integral antenna or of a substitute antenna for the particular electronic equipment.

While the invention has been described with specificity, it is the aim of the appended claims to cover all such equivalent variations as come within the true spirit and scope of the foregoing disclosure.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In combination:

(a) a casing for electronic equipment including an apertured top wall and apertured sidewall, the inner surface of said side wall including at least one inwardly extending flange;

(b) an antenna assembly including a swivel ball mounted interiorly of said casing and having an axially extending bore for accepting a plurality of extensible tubular members in telescoping relations with each other;

(e) a ferrule received in an aperture in the top wall of said casing and engageable with the top surface of said swivel ball;

(d) a resilient sheet metal mounting clip formed separately from said ferrule and having a generally L- shaped section comprising first and second legs, said.

first legs of said clip lying flat against said sidewall and including at least one flanged portion which rests upon said casing flange, said second leg of said clip lying generally along the inner surface of said top wall of said casing and including a central aperture surrounded by a downwardly and inwardly extending annular flange portion forming a socket for receiving the lower surface of said swivel ball, said second leg further including a second aperture near the free end thereof for receiving a screw threaded member extending from said top wall;

(e) a screw threaded member disposed in an aperture in said top wall and received in said second aperture of said mounting clip, whereby tightening of said screw threaded member in said second aperture draws said free end of said second leg of said mounting clip toward said top wall so as to bias said mounting clip socket to supply resilient pressure on said swivel ball; and

(f) electrical connection means engaging said mounting clip tov provide an electrical connection to said antenna assembly.

2. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said second leg of said mounting clip includes a tab portion struck therefrom, said second aperture being disposed in said tab portion.

3. In combination:

(a) a casing for electronic equipment including an apertured top wall and an apertured side wall;

(b) an antenna assembly including a swivel ball mounted interiorly of said casing and having an axially extending bore for accepting a plurality of extensible tubular members in telescoping relation with each other;

(0) mounting means supported on said casing including a socket for receiving, said swivel ball and including further means for biasing said socket to provide resilient pressure on said swivel ball;

(d) electrical connection means to provide an electrical connection to said antenna assembly comprising:

(1) a first conductive screw threaded member received in a first aperture in said sidewall of said casing and engaging said mounting means;

(2) a conductive connector supported in a second aperture in said sidewall and including an aperture therein for receiving a screw threaded member;

(3) terminal means engaging said connection within the casing;

(4) a second conductive screw threaded member received in said aperture in said connector; and

(5) a removable conductive connecting link spanning the space between said first and second screw threaded members on the outside surface of said side wall for completing the electrical connection to said antenna assembly; and

(c) said sidewall including at least one flange extending inwardly from the inner surface thereof and said mounting means comprising a ferrule received in an aperture in the top wall of said casing and engageable with the top surface of said swivel ball, and a resilient sheet metal mounting clip formed separately from said ferrule and having a generally L- shaped section comprising first and second legs, said first leg of said clip lying flat against said sidewall and including at least one flanged portion which rests upon said casing flange, said second leg of said clip lying generally along the inner surface of said top wall of said casing and including a central aperture surrounded by a downwardly and inwardly extending annular flange portion forming a socket for receiving the lower surface of said swivel ball, said second leg of said mounting clip having a second aperture near the free end thereof, and a screw threaded member extending from said top wall and received in said second aperture, whereby tightening of said screw threaded member in said second aperture draws said free end of said second leg toward said top wall so as to bias said mounting clip socket to supply resilient pressure on said swivel ball.

, 4. The device as recited in claim 3 wherein said connecting link comprises a metal plate member including an elongated slot near one end thereof for receiving said second screw threaded member, and including an openended slot at the extreme other end thereof for receiving said first screw threaded member, whereby loosening said first screw threaded member allows said connecting link to be removed from engagement therewith and said electrical connection to said antenna assembly to be broken.

5. In electronic equipment having a casing with a top wall and sidewalls and including an antenna comprising a swivel ball mounted interiorly of said casing and having an axially extending bore for accepting a plurality of extensible tubular members in telescoping relation with each other, mounting means for said antenna compris- (a) a ferrule received in an aperture in the top wall of said casing and engageable with the top surface of said swivel ball;

(b) at least one inwardly extending flange positioned on the inner surface of one of said side walls; and

(c) a resilient sheet metal mounting clip formed separately from said ferrule and having a generally L- shaped section comprising first and second legs, said first leg of said clip lying flat against said one sidewall and including at least one flanged portion which rests on said casing flange, said second leg of said clip lying generally along the inner surface of said top wall of said casing and including a central aperture surrounded by a downwardly and inwardly extending flanged portion forming a socket for receiving the lower surface of said swivel ball, said second leg of said mounting clip having a second aperture near the free end thereof, and a screw threaded member extending from said top wall and received in said second aperture, whereby tightening of said 8 screw threaded member in said second aperture draws said free end of said second leg toward said top wall so as to bias said mounting clip socket to supply resilient pressure on said swivel ball.

6. The invention as recited in claim 5 wherein said second leg of said mounting clip includes a tab portion struck therefrom, said second aperture being disposed in said tab portion.

7. The invention as recited in claim 5 wherein said second leg is bent downwards along a transverse line between said central aperture and said one leg of said clip.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,612,952 1/1927 Stevenson 325--356 3,182,329 5/1965 Biesecker 343-702 3,305,869 2/1967 Arrington 343702 OTHER REFERENCES Catalog PGeneral Radio Company, West Concord, Mass, 1959, 'IK6560Z5G48, pp. 238239 and title page.

HERMAN KARL SAALBACH, Primary Examiner M. NUSSBAUM, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 343-882, 901 

